AFL release 2019 fixture schedule

The AFL today released the fixture for the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

AFL General Manager Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said the fixture was constructed with the aim of enabling fans to access the game in strong numbers, ensuring that all clubs received as balanced a fixture as possible via the weighted match-up rule and continuing to build the AFL game as the number one code in this country.

“The industry is coming off the back of a record-breaking season in attendance, membership and participation. We acknowledge the role the fixture plays in growing the game across all states, territories and communities," he said.

“Over seven million fans attended a game across the 2018 Toyota Premiership season and Finals Series. The support of our fans and the great work of our clubs and players is why our game continues to grow.”

The season will begin with five Thursday night matches in the first five rounds building considerable momentum into the start of the season. Traditional rivals Carlton and Richmond open the season on Thursday March 21. This Opening Round match up has averaged over 80,000 fans at the MCG in the last five years, including over 90,000 fans in 2018.

In Round 2, Richmond and Collingwood will square off at the MCG, followed by the Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats in Round 3 three at the Adelaide Oval, Sydney Swans vs Melbourne at the SCG in Round 4, and the return of the Thursday night of the Easter Weekend matchup at the GABBA, as the Brisbane Lions host Collingwood.

These high-profile Thursday night matches at the start of the season create early excitement, help build momentum and provide greater promotional opportunities for the competition in key television timeslots, with the three remaining Thursday night matches to be played from Rounds 13-15 encompassing the period around the bye break for all clubs.

The Adelaide Crows host Richmond at the Adelaide Oval in Round 13 followed by the reigning Premiers the West Coast Eagles and Essendon at Optus Stadium in Round 14. The Bombers will then play back-to-back Thursday nights hosting the GWS GIANTS in Round 15 at MARVEL Stadium.

All eight of these Thursday night matches will be broadcast live on Channel 7, FOX FOOTY and the AFL Live App thanks to Telstra

The Thursday night schedule was assisted by the introduction of five-day breaks for the first time, delivering increased flexibility in scheduling affording the opportunity to deliver improved competitive match ups for fans.“It was important to find the balance of Thursday night matches, taking into account the ability for families and regional fans in particular to attend games, days breaks for the teams and the right match ups at the right venues,” Mr Auld said.

Collingwood have a combined nine Thursday and Friday night games, Richmond, the Sydney Swans, the Adelaide Crows and Essendon have six games, Hawthorn five games, and a group of clubs including the Geelong Cats, Port Adelaide and reigning Premiers the West Coast Eagles have four games.